Holistic Musical Thinking: A Pedagogical Model for Hands-On and Heart-Felt Musical Engagement

Daniel C. Johnson is Professor of Music and Coordinator of Graduate and Undergraduate Music Education Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA.

“In this ambitious and optimistic monograph, forward-facing music educator Daniel Johnson has synthesized diverse epistemological and ontological work to present a text designed to help teachers meet all students’ needs – focusing on learners as multifaceted people whose humanity can be reached through pedagogy in the present.”Gareth Dylan Smith, Assistant Professor of Music, Music Education, Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Music"Johnson's innovative approach transforms music education by uniting intellectual understanding, physical skill, and emotional connection with cross-curricular relevance and student motivation. This research-backed framework provides both classroom teachers and teacher educators with practical strategies to nurture complete musicians. Essential reading for professionals committed to a more holistic and effective approach to music teaching and learning."Ann Marie Stanley, Director, School of Music and Professor of Music Education, The Pennsylvania State University"The authentic nature of the examples provided in Daniel Johnson's Holistic Musical Thinking offers an ideal platform to help students understand music learning processes. Connections to theories of learning and transference to instructional practice are made clear."Frederick Burrack, Distinguished Graduate Professor, Graduate Chair of Music, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas"Holistic Musical Thinking expands the field of music education, explaining that musical thinking involves a complex symphony of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor functions. Johnson provides a wealth of scholarship and culturally-situated vignettes, recommended for researchers, practitioners, and university students to holistically appreciate music as a unique and essential human pursuit."Clint Randles, Professor of Music Education and Contemporary Music, University of South Florida"Currently a university professor, Dr. Dan Johnson has taught music to students of all ages, including Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education courses throughout the U.S. Dr. Johnson’s holistic approach to music education is drawn from the wealth of his experiences, and he is well qualified to present this thought-provoking volume. Music educators at all levels will appreciate the logically organized content, and Dr. Johnson’s convincing argument for “hands-on and heart-felt musical engagement”, as the title indicates. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, Dr. Johnson provides detailed lesson plans that clearly illustrate his holistic pedagogical model in action."Dr. Laura Artesani, University of Maine"Professor Johnson develops a fascinating model of holistic musical thinking. As well as proposing a considered conceptual framing, his model is also a practical reflective tool. This book is recommended reading for those thinking about providing pathways and enabling conditions for young people to grow, explore and develop in music."Dr Anthony Anderson, Associate Professor in Music Education, Birmingham City University, UK

• 1 Exploring Musical Thinking Setting the Stage for Holistic Musical ThinkingHistory and Theory of Musical ThinkingA New ModelAn AIT Conceptual FrameworkSummary 2 Domains of Learning and TeachingBehind the ScenesThe Learning DomainThe Teaching DomainSummary3 A Pedagogical Model for Holistic Musical ThinkingPrevious Ideas about Musical ThinkingA New Pedagogical Model for Holistic Musical ThinkingAn Example VignetteSummary4 Practical ApplicationsThe Model in ActionClassroom Vignettes: On StageDeveloping a Musical Thinking CurriculumSummaryConclusionAppendix